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03-13-2015, 05:58 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 52
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Canopy open in flight
OK Jon, I read your reply and I have to inform the original poster that a lot of
research has already been done in 2008. Please search for "canopy open in flight" or RV-8 "improved" airflow to see all the excellent research done by our very own test pilot Jon Thocker.
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Steve Richmond/Corsicana, TX/RV8 Flying /FFI, Falcon Flight
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03-13-2015, 06:45 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 1,060
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A6PILOT
OK Jon, I read your reply and I have to inform the original poster that a lot of
research has already been done in 2008. Please search for "canopy open in flight" or RV-8 "improved" airflow to see all the excellent research done by our very own test pilot Jon Thocker.
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Thanks Steve!
I couldn't remember the title to my own thread.
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Jon Thocker
Habitual Offender
RV4, RV4, RV6A, RV8, RV8, RV8,RV8, RV8, RV8, RV12
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03-13-2015, 08:48 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SF East Bay
Posts: 852
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Just wondering if the reason the canopy did open during a hammerhead was because the reduced airspeed at the top?
I think the T-34 canopy is not a fair comparison since it is a four piece canopy. A fixed windscreen, front slider, fixed center section and the rear slider. The forces acting on the rear of the canopy are not transmitted to the front slider section.
I have flown a T-28 with the canopy open and that is a very strange sensation. Step one, secure the cockpits and clear the bilges for ANYTHING loose.
When you begin to run the canopy open (it is hyd powered) there is a strange moaning noise. Once the canopy is full open it isn't bad at all but there is a point as the canopy is either almost closed or just starting to open where the airflow is such that it will try and pull your helmet off.
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Sam
RV-8 with the Showplanes Fastback conversion
Emp completed except for glass work
Wings completed except for bottom skin and glass work
Fuselage underway
N18451 reserved
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03-13-2015, 09:02 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tampa (BKV)
Posts: 926
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A, uh...friend of mine once took off with his -8 canopy unlatched. It rolled back perhaps an inch during a rather aggressive climb out. I...uh, my friend leveled out, turned on the autopilot and placed a hand on each side of the canopy and pushed it forward. Easy peasy, no pucker. Now, when he took off with tip topped tanks and left the right gas cap on the ramp....that was a bit more dramatic. Glance out at wing as I, uh...he rolled right and there looks to be a firehose of fuel shooting out the hole in the wing. Still makes me laugh. The things we do when we are gaining experience...or rather we hear about our friends doing. :-)
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RV-8 Flying
1,235th flying RV8
SARL Race#95
SnF Homebuilt Judge
2015 Sun n Fun Kit Built Reserve Grand Champion
2015 Oshkosh Kit Built Champion
2015 Jeffco Kit Built Grand Champion
2014 Oshkosh Outstanding Workmanship Award
Broken Warrior of the Jarhead Clan
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03-14-2015, 12:32 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRTS
Posts: 1,798
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I've taken off once with the -8canopy unlatched. Didn't catch it until after landing, canopy never budged.
New habit pattern, if the canopy is closed, it's latched. No reason not to.
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Next?, TBD
IAR-823, SOLD
RV-8, SOLD
RV-7, SOLD
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03-14-2015, 12:51 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 882
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Unlatched Takeoff
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sig600
I've taken off once with the -8canopy unlatched. Didn't catch it until after landing, canopy never budged.
New habit pattern, if the canopy is closed, it's latched. No reason not to.
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I started a takeoff once with my canopy unlatched. It was closed and latched during run-up, then I started to open it while waiting at the limit line for a ridiculously long time while the trainee-controller held me short for an aircraft on downwind flying a B-52 pattern on a hot day. Of course, as soon as I opened the latch, I was cleared for takeoff, and I forgot to relatch it. The takeoff acceleration caused the canopy to slide open very rapidly. The movement immediately caught my attention, and instinctively, I grabbed it with my left hand and pushed it forward. I'm pretty sure that if I had ignored it, it would have slammed all the way open and who knows what would have happened if I had continued to takeoff that way.
On the other hand, I ended up with my left hand stuck on the canopy latch while flying the takeoff roll, so my hand wasn't on the throttle if I had to abort. Fortunately, it was uneventful and I was able to force the canopy closed and latch it for an uneventful cross country flight.
Skylor
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03-14-2015, 05:28 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Chesterfield, Missouri
Posts: 4,514
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironflight
Take it from a long-time RV-8 pilot - Mel is right. Don't ask me how I know....
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Not a long time 8 pilot, but from experience with the 7, it will open about 2-3" and cannot be closed or opened further.
No big deal, fly the airplane, land, close it and continue flight. Don't ask me how I know..... 
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RV-12 Build Helper
RV-7A...Sold #70374
The RV-8...Sold #83261
I'm in, dues paid 2019 This place is worth it!
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03-14-2015, 06:16 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Posts: 1,628
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xblueh2o
Just wondering if the reason the canopy did open during a hammerhead was because the reduced airspeed at the top?
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Exactly. I have noticed that the canopy latch can easily become unlatched in flight but the air loads keep the canopy firmly in place. In this instance (a hammerhead turn) the air loads at the point when the airspeed was zero and the airplane was oriented vertically and the latch was unlatched, the canopy slid to the full open position. Looking back, I wonder what it says about me that I grabbed my hat first! 
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Ron Schreck
IAC National Judge
RV-8, "Miss Izzy", 2250 Hours - Sold
VAF 2021 Donor
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